A rite which has made the triathlon for competitors 5-14 such a special event.

11 years ago a group of Lisbon youngsters wanted to compete in triathlons. The closest triathlon series for youth was in Lake Placid, said Mini Triathlon Director Christine Hammond.

It was a long drive so a group of us parents decided why not hold a triathlon in Lisbon. Eleven years later, Katie Sovie, Jackie Sovie, Colleen Hammond, Allison Akins and Connor Hammond are now wearing the blue officials shirts along with other former participants. They now do 90 per cent of the work at running the triathlon.

Two 14-year triathletes who have dueled their way up the age group ladder, Tanner Massic of Ogdensburg and Coleman Pease of Hammond, placed 1-2 in the Boys 11-14 Division.

Massic posted the best time of the day at 19:59, Boys 8-10 winner Parker Hunt of Canton posted the second best time at 20:08 and the Girls 11-14 winner 13-year-old Hannah Braun of Lisbon placed third overall at 20:36.

The other division leaders were: Rachel LaRock and Connor Bell (G-B 5-7) and Nora Pease (Girls 8-10). Madalyn Bascom, Matthew Mikolay, Jonah Longshore formed the only team in the triathlon.